TEAM FMF MAKITA SUZUKI’S Josh Strang Takes Over Championship Points Lead After Rock Run GNCC

PATTON, PA (May 31, 2011) –
FMF Makita Suzuki’s Josh Strang moved into the points lead of the
2011 Grand National Cross Country Series after riding his FMF Makita
Suzuki RM-Z450 to a strong second-place finish at the Rock Run GNCC
in Patton, PA, this past weekend.

The FMF Makita Suzuki rider got off to
a great start on the fast and rocky course, taking the lead
immediately on his RM-Z450. Although the defending series champion
struggled a little and dropped back to fifth place at one point,
Strang eventually worked his way back into second position by the
midway point of the race and held on for a podium finish.

“Overall it was a good day,” said
Strang. “My FMF Makita Suzuki ran great and it’s good to get the
points lead back. I was going for the win, but I just ran out of time
and had too much distance to make up at the end.”

After five rounds, Strang has a
two-point advantage over second place in the series standings. He’s
looking forward to increasing that points lead at the upcoming
Snowshoe GNCC.

“Snowshoe should be good,” added
Strang. “It’s a technical track and this race was good practice
for it, so I am definitely looking forward to the next round.”

The 2011 FMF Makita Suzuki team’s
next event is Sunday, June 26th, in Snowshoe, WV, for the Snowshoe
GNCC, round six of the AMA Grand National Cross Country Series. For
more information, visit www.suzukicycles.com. Follow team updates on
SuzukiScoopFans on facebook and SuzukiScoop on twitter.

Rock Run GNCC XC1 Class Results:

1. Paul Whibley

2. Josh Strang

3. Charles Mullins

4. Mike Lafferty

5. Kailub Russell

6. Christopher Bach

7. Nathan Kanney

8. Rory Mead

9. Kenneth Gilbert

10. Nick Fahringer